Bill would regulate trampoline centers

SACRAMENTO  Pressed by a Coronado mother whose adult son was killed in an accident, a state Senate committee Wednesday unanimously approved legislation that would regulate trampoline centers that are growing in popularity in California and throughout the country.

The measure would require trampoline centers to comply with safety regulations similar to those already in place for amusement park rides. It would put the Division of Occupational Safety and Health in charge of setting design standards, other safety safeguards and inspections.

Trampoline parks would also be required to carry insurance and train their employees, among other requirements.

California would become the first state in the nation to impose safety regulations on trampoline parks if Senate Bill 256 is signed into law.

And that is the ultimate goal of Coronado’s Maureen Kerley, who is working alongside a safety-advocacy coalition called “Think Before You Bounce.

“This is not a state problem this is a national problem. Someone needs to be accountable,” Kerley said.

Representatives of the companies testified that the growing industry has prepared a set of safety standards that will go into effect shortly. To put the state in charge of designs, inspection and other requirements would drive many out of business because of the “onerous” nature, they said.

Robert Ito, the director of risk management for nationwide operator Sky Zone, said centers that do not follow those guidelines will be unable to obtain insurance and thereby go out of business.

Injury rates in numerous other sports are much higher than what occurs at the centers, he added.

“The industry is operating at levels you would want to see,” Ito said. “The most dangerous activity a child or parent could be involved in, in attending trampoline parks, is driving there.”

Some representatives said the state, if it acts, should incorporate the industry’s standards in any legislation.

“Ultimately, the choice of acceptable risk should belong to the public, and we will continue our efforts as an industry to provide the appropriate level of safety,” the International Association of trampoline Parks wrote in a letter of opposition.

But Sen. Ted Lieu, a Torrance Democrat who is carrying the bill, was unswayed.

“If the argument from industry is they will go out of business if they are put under Cal-OSHA regulations then maybe that’s an industry that should go out of business,” Lieu said.

“What’s going to drive this industry out of business is not regulation. It’s when the public finds out people are dying and being injured ... I would hope the industry would want to get the bad actors out,” Lieu added.

Trampoline centers have grown in popularity. At the indoor facilities, participants generally pay a per-hour fee to bounce, flip and, tumble in the air. There is even trampoline dodge ball for groups.

That’s what proved fatal for Ty Thomasson, who in February 2012 was at a Phoenix, Az. park as part of a team building exercise with other employees of Yelp. Then 30, Thomasson did an aerial flip, crash-landing in a shallow foam safety pit. He died three days later.

“We’re not out to abolish parks,” Kerley, saying the goal is to require safety standards that can be enforced.

“It’s too late for my son. No one should have to go through this,” she said in explaining why she was lobbying for the measure.

Sen. Mark Wyland, R-Solana Beach, voted yes. Later, he said: “I’m concerned about the safety of trampoline parks and protecting consumers who enjoy them. I want to be sure that trampoline parks are as safe as amusement parks are for children and others. I believe both the trampoline park industry and consumers can benefit from SB 256.”

It now goes to the Appropriations Committee. Gov Jerry Brown has not taken a position.